Off camera

We open where we last left off, on the lowest, most secured (or so they thought) floor of the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia. There is a small army of both CIA and MIB agents walking down a corridor with the familiar sound of Maniac’s laughter coming from the center of this group as he’s being dragged down the corridor by his leg. As he laughs Maniac occasionally swipes at an agent, trying to trip one of them. His weapons have been taken along with the spear of destiny and his time travel device, all put into a secured container which one agent is carrying. Alternate Mandy has also been disarmed and is being carried by each of her arms down the corridor. As they get closer to the end of the corridor alternate Mandy can see what awaits them through the open door and lets out a loud gasp which causes Maniac to stop laughing, and with a serious look on his face he looks straight up at the non-existent camera.

Maniac: Don’t tell me. We’re about to go into a big scary room.

Alternate Mandy: Yep.

Maniac: Torture devices inside?

Alternate Mandy: Oh yeah.

Maniac: Bring it on.

Alternate Mandy almost breaks her neck when she turns back to look at Maniac, that stupid smile on his face as he breaks out in laughter once again. She rolls her eyes as she shakes her head, looking forward again and preparing for her impending torture and death. They are almost to the door when suddenly a portal opens in front of the group and out steps alternate Maniac who simply glances around at the scene before him which causes the group to stop dead in their tracks.

CIA agent: There’s another one, get him!

A few agents go for their guns and alternate Maniac simply raises one arm with his hand closed in a fist and when he opens it the entire group of agents disintegrate, causing alternate Mandy to drop to her feet. Maniac is still laying on the corridor floor, his eyes fixated on his alternate self and wide in surprise. He slowly gets to his feet as he wipes off residue of where the agents hand use to be before clearing his throat and opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out, he just stands there for a moment collecting his thoughts before trying to speak again.

Maniac: WHAT THE FUK?!?!?!?!?

Maniac looks around at the disintegrated agents, over to alternate Mandy, and then back at alternate Maniac. Alternate Mandy notices that Maniac is getting that look in his eye so she steps in-between the two Maniacs.

Alternate Mandy: Hold on Maniac, this is the alternate you who unlocked the truth in my mind. He’s here to help.

Maniac looks past alternate Mandy and right at his alternate self.

Maniac: How’d you do all that? I don’t see a time travel device on your wrist and you’re definitely not Doctor Manhattan so what’s the deal?

Alternate Maniac chuckles and his eyes quickly flash red before returning to normal.

Alternate Maniac: In my universe I’ve captured the demon and hold him prisoner inside where I harness his demonic energy and use it for good.

Maniac just stands there in disbelief before shaking his head and running his hand down his face in frustration and defeat.

Maniac: Ok then, if you’re here to help then how about opening that container for us so we can get out stuff back?

Maniac points and alternate Maniac follows his hand and concentrates on the secured container for a few moments before quickly snapping his fingers. As soon as he does the secured container disintegrates away just like the CIA and MIB agents did but that doesn’t stop Maniac from collecting his and alternate Mandy’s possessions, he returns the spear of destiny to his back waistband and then re-secures the time travel device on his wrist. He gives alternate Mandy her stuff and then nods towards his alternate self.

Maniac: Appreciate it, now we need to  get…

Maniac is interrupted by sudden gunfire but doesn’t have time to react as he’s suddenly pushed out of the way by alternate Mandy who takes the barrage of bullets. Maniac only has time to hit the ground and turn on his back as he hears a loud roar and then sees a giant fireball completely engulf alternate Mandy who instantly drops to the ground.

Maniac: NO!!!!!!!

Maniac is instantly on his feet and sprinting towards alternate Mandy, he doesn’t know why but he has flashbacks of when Antonio’s brother Santino (known as Freakshow then) was set on fire by the Horde. Alternate Maniac has already taken care of the agents so Maniac goes straight to alternate Mandy but stops as he gets to her, his eyes wide in shock at the pile of melted metal, wires, and circuits before him. Maniac drops to his knees, carefully cradling alternate Mandy’s head as she twitches and glitches.

Maniac: I’m so sorry, if I hadn’t taken you from your universe then none of this would have happened.

Alternate Mandy continues to twitch and glitch but she manages a smile.

Alternate Mandy, D…dddd…don’t be Maniac, because of yyyyy…..you I was able to know what its like to lll…live again. This was my ppppp…purpose, to make sure you lllll…live. So ddddd..don’t waist it mmmmmm….meathead, end this once and for aaaaaa…all. For everyone’s sake.

Alternate Mandy’s eyes close and her head begins to drop so Maniac guides it gently to the floor as tears pour from his eyes. As he says his final goodbyes Alternate Maniac walks up behind him and places a hand on Maniac’s shoulder, Maniac nods and then wipes the tears from his eyes before clearing his throat. He doesn’t look back at his alternate self when he speaks as he can’t take his eyes off alternate Mandy.

Maniac: I appreciate it but save your comfort for someone who deserves it, like alternate Mandy here.

Maniac doesn’t say anything more, he waits for his alternate self to reply and when there’s no reply Maniac finally turns to face him. Alternate Maniac is just standing there, his hand still on Maniac’s shoulder and his eyes are wide with shock and fear.

Maniac: Hey, are you ok?

As soon as Maniac pulls away and the hand of his alternate self falls off his shoulder alternate Maniac suddenly breaks from whatever trance he was in and frantically looks around as if to double check where he’s at. Once he confirms his location he looks at Maniac, his eyes still wide.

Alternate Maniac: I’ve seen what was, what is, and what’s to come in your life Maniac. I know that you seek to rid your universe of the demon that’s been bothering you for years and now is affecting others, I can show you how. Come with me, you already have the necessary tool to help you.

Alternate Maniac points behind Maniac, at the spear of destiny.

Alternate Maniac: It was no accident that came into your possession, it’s the key to it all.

Maniac just stares at his alternate self for a moment before looking down at the charred remains of alternate Mandy and then back at his alternate self, nodding his head. Alternate Maniac smiles and the two leave together through a portal alternate Maniac creates as the scene fades.
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On camera (Immediately following the Art of War Press conference)

The scene opens with a team of security surrounding Maniac as they escort him from the chaotic scene that just unfolded at the Art of War Press conference, they’re not alone as reporters and cameras that are from various media outlets and from HWA try to keep up to get a comment from the HWA champ. The image of the young man slitting his own throat, his blood splattering everywhere with the word “Harbinger” carved in his chest still fresh in his mind as Maniac makes his way to his bus. He’s almost there when the familiar voice of Meredith calls out to him and he stops right outside his bus, turning around he motions for security to let her and the cameraman accompanying her through.

Meredith: Meredith here for Mandy Banks on the HWA YouTube channel and we’re here with the HWA Champion Maniac to get his thoughts on what transpired here tonight. If you have time champ care to give us your thoughts?

Maniac: My thoughts Meredith? Well I can sum it up in on simple word for you…

Maniac takes the World title which he’d been carrying in his hand since leaving the Art of War Press conference and slings it over his shoulder.

Maniac: Chaos, absolute chaos from beginning to end. With of course the exception of Hans and Toby’s match and Jeremy versus Wyatt.  And congratulations to the winners of those matches respectively, ESPECIALLY you Jer Jer. Enjoy what it feels like to not only be a winner but have a career because after Art of War you’ll NEVER know the feeling of either again. Remember, YOU brought this on yourself Jeremy, YOU asked for this when I begged you to stop. I’ve been trying to fix my mistakes but in your blind rage you’ve cut me off at every turn, I can’t count how many times I’ve almost had that demonic fuk but there you are popping up like a little brat throwing your temper tantrums.

Maniac clears his throat and pops his neck before continuing.

Maniac: Enough about him, congratulations to Shark on your count-out victory. Look at it this way, you’re closer to getting a tittle shot than Bryan Deas EVER will. Seriously though, you put on hell of a match and I know its because you blame me for Wolfy’s death but if you knew what I did you wouldn’t. Actually, if you’d come to my bus I’ll show you Shark and then maybe you’ll change your mind.

Meredith: What is it Maniac?

Maniac chuckles.

Maniac: You wouldn’t believe me if I told you so drop it, anyway I wanna give a shout out to my pal Patchy the pirate. Sorry for that little misunderstanding with Jesse, heat of the moment sort of thing. You understand right? Sometimes when you get really mad you get red eyed and blurry vision, which also comes with high irritation and sensitivity. Speaking of, Jesse’s right by the way. People will always look at him as a kid with daddy running in to save him. Nice sneak attack by the way, very sneaky one-eyed Willie.

Maniac smiles as he playfully wags his finger at the camera.

Maniac: Look Jesse, I get it you don’t need help. You’re an up and coming tough guy who can handle it all on his own. Well let me tell you He-Man, I’ve seen my fair share of tough guys come and go here in the HWA and the ones that manage to stick around ALL eventually needed help and teamed up. From Buff Bridges, Thane Givens, ICE, David Hollis, Punisher, all the way up to Michael Dredge, Ronnie McNeil, Butch Parker, and yes even myself. There’s nothing wrong asking for help Jesse, that doesn’t make you a kid. What makes you a kid is being bull headed and just charging in thinking you can do it all on your own, some situations you will but not this one. Please Jesse accept help on this one, its more than one person can handle

Meredith: Which brings me to the two questions that’s on everyone’s mind, can you defeat DreamMaster on your own? And do you even have a plan?

Maniac sighs as he shakes his head.

Maniac: No Meredith, I’m afraid I can’t do it on my own which is why I’ve been asking for help but have only been met with negative responses. As for a plan, I had one but since the other two so-called “pillars” of HWA refused to help I had to scrap that plan and go back to the drawing board. And I admit I’ve been struggling to come up with a new one but now I have another, more solid plan as long as nobody gets in my way.

Maniac looks at the camera, directing the message at Jeremy.

Maniac: And last and CERTAINLY least of my worries because he’s not one…Bryan Deas. Look Deas you’re not jumping in line, your not getting a shot at me and my title anytime soon so get in line and actually win a match for once. So whatever “backup” you have let me give them some advice, run guys.  Run as fast and far away from that leech as you can or he’ll suck your career dry like he has many others before you, and like he tried to with me. Now if you’ll excuse me…

Maniac turns and knocks on the door of his bus and when it pops open he opens it just enough to slide inside and closes it back as the scene fades to black.
___________________________________________________

Off camera

We open to Mandy as she sits on the bus and waits for Maniac to get back, she has started to worry because he’s been gone longer than expected. She tried occupying herself by watching some TV and when that became boring she opened her laptop to surf the internet, but that also became boring so she closes her browser and was about to close her laptop when the screen begins to flicker. Suddenly her alternate self appears on her screen which causes the real Mandy to gasp in shock, and a few moments after she appeared alternate Mandy begins to speak.

Alternate Mandy: Hello Mandy, I’m you from another universe.  The same one your boyfriend kidnapped me from to temporarily replace you so people wouldn’t question your quick recovery. If you’re seeing this, I’m dead. I recorded this video and had it set up to be sent to your email at the time of my demise, and with this video comes the information you need. The information I’ve been collecting pretending to be you, I’ve sent it to you. That and some other juicy stuff you might like, what you do with that extra information is on you. Goodbye Mandy and good luck, especially with him.

The video goes to static but isn’t over as it shows another part, this one of Maniac. He’s in a basement somewhere and there are candles everywhere, people with hooded robes on, and there’s a giant pentagram drawn on the floor right under Maniac’s feet. Not just Maniac’s feet, but under someone else too and she’s chained to the floor. Maniac’s eyes would occasionally flicker red and Mandy realizes this is from when he was possessed, her horror only intensifies as she also recognizes the girl chained to the floor. It was her sister Sarah! She watches in horror  as a few men approaches her sister with machetes and other large knives as the others start to chant. Mandy covers her mouth as she watches in horror her sister being ritualistically sacrificed as the scene fades.